How many epi\'s do you have?

I carry two in my purse. I have two in my medicine cabinet at home.

The traffic is so bad around here that I just feel better carrying two. I haven't checked with the emergency services here yet to see what they do. I keep say I'm going to and haven't yet.

I always carry 2 for my son. He is 7. My husband always carries 2. There are 2 at the art center where he takes classes, 2 in the nurses office at school and 2 in his classroom.

I used to only carry 1 epi-pen.

When I went to Asia for a month in October, I decided I would need more than 1 as I wasn't sure how easy it was to get an epi-pen in Asia.

So now I have 3 epi-pens, but I usually only carry one with me. I often carry it in my jacket pocket, or Nancy may carry it in her purse, or I may carry it in my backpack. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Erik, as they expire will you go back to just one?

I'm debating whether or not I need the extras. My son wears one and has one in the office at school. During the summer I carry his extra in my purse (and his next prescription will be for adult strength). I just don't know that I need to carry three, plus him wearing one.

This isn't a money decision. Our insurance has been covering 90% the last few times I filled a script.

Hi Anna Marie,

I think I will end up with two. One to keep at the office and one to carry with me when I am not at work. I would only carry one at a time as I don't see the need for more than one (unless I am away on vacation)

Anna Marie,

I carry two epi-pens in the inner jacket of my pocket (winter), or one in my front jeans pocket (not winter - when no jacket needed in CA). I've just never wanted to carry a purse, and definitely don't want to start now because of the meds! This is in addition to having one in a file drawer at work, and one in the bedside table at home.

I try to have at least two available to me wherever I am, since I've heard that there's the possibility of one mis-firing or not getting injected properly if the one doing the injecting is not experienced... I've never had to use one on myself (knocking on wood) and so count myself in the latter group - my only "experience" with a real epi was recently on a grapefruit. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Andromeda

Thanks to everyone who answered. (Anyone else that wants to, I'm still interested. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] )

Quote:Originally posted by BelindaA:
[b] I haven't checked with the emergency services here yet to see what they do. I keep say I'm going to and haven't yet.[/b]

Belinda, I would suggest you [b]do[/b] call the paramedics with some questions. Don't call 9-1-1, but look up the non-emergency number in your city.

In my city all ambulances carry epinephrine and all paramedics are qualified to inject it. In some cities [i]some[/i] ambulances carry it and [/i]some[/i] paramedics can give it. Someone posted that in their city they can be put on a list that if there is a 9-1-1 call from their home paramedics will know there is a person with anaphylaxis living there. That way, the correct ambulance is dispatched. I don't remember what city, or who posted it, but I do remember that information. So, it's worth calling them. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Additional question: Does any keep an expired epi as their back-up?

I usually keep expired epi's - sometimes I use them to practice on oranges, and the - least expired go in cars, or grandma's houses which are further from the hospital -- I figure as a back-up to the back-up -- it might help.

Hi, I carry three, but I live 30 minutes away a teeny tiny hospital that doesn't always have a doctor 'in' at night. (If there is a nighttime emergency they call whoever is 'on call' to wake them up and have them drive in.) The nearest full staffed hospital is 2 1/2 hours away - and the paramedics don't carry epis, and can't give my own, but they said they'd look the otherway and let my husband give me shots from my own supply if they had to transport me any distance.

-So I'm in a much different situation than most ;-)

Nola

Hi Nola and welcome to the board. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

It's good that you know what is and what is not available. It's always best to know how prepared you do need to be.

fyi, in my city the paramedics can only give two shots of epi. If you have already given yourself one, then they can only give you one. I'm trying to find out the complete logic behind this. My son is in college training to be a paramedic and he's the one that told me this - so I checked it out and he's correct.

i have three for my dd. i have one in my purse, one at my moms house where she goes after school and one at school. 99% of the time she is with me. dh doesnt carry one because we are always together so i just carry it in my purse. we are all within 5 minutes of a hospital if the need arises. however the paramedics and emts on board ambulances here are required by law now to carry the epi pens..whew that made my life a bit easier if the need for more than one enroute to the hospital..its good to know they carry them now. almost 4 1/2 years now without a major reaction..

I have 3 epi jr. for DS, one at daycare (less then 5 min. to hospital, 1 min from Ambulance dispatch), one at grandparent's, and one in his diaper bag (which also goes to grandparents's) I also carry 2 adult ones for myself ( I am allergic to fish) DS is almost at the weight for the adult epi, so he can use mine if needed. If I didn't have my own I would carry 2 epi jr. for DS.

Hope that makes since

Ali

I have about 4 at home, Literally 30secs away from ambulance station. at school have loads (10+ my school nurse has a cuboard filled!)

I always have at least 2

Ruby, do you mean that your family supplied the school with 10 epi-pens? Or does the school supply them?

2 for me (in my purse or diaper bag) PA/TNA

I also have 2 for DS who is dairy and egg allergic.

Mary

I have 3 - one in my bag, one at home, and one spare (if one expires it means I don't have to rush so much to get a new prescription, which is good as it's sometimes harder to do as I have two addresses!)

I only carry one unless I have a specific reason to carry more, for example being on holiday, or being somewhere I would consider unsafe, or somewhere where Ihave reason to think I'm far from emergency treatment.

Take care
Rach

Quote:Ruby, do you mean that your family supplied the school with 10 epi-pens? Or does the school supply them?

Schoold supplies tehm and keeps them up to date!

Ruby that is EXCELLENT. I'm wondering if schools here will start that to. As of January 1, 2006, Sabrina's law comes in to effect. (It has been posted about on this board, and you may have read bits and pieces. Ontario will have laws to protect anaphylactic students.) Some of what I've read, I wouldn't be surprised if some schools start providing them - although the new law does NOT require it, to my knowledge.

But, that's really cool that your school does. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

It is!!! its becuase theres quite a few at our secondary school with severe food allergies, and our canteen is nut-free (apart from pre-packaged food) and it has its own anaphylaxis support group and buddy system-so i think i've been quite lucky!!!

WOW! I am so impressed. And, I am glad to hear your school is helping to keep you safe. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I know, and guess what- next anaphylatic meeting they are allowing me to do a talk on my website!!

That's excellent. Good luck with it. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Anna Marie, if I can remember correctly, and if things have not changed, Prince Edward Island schools provide Epi-pens.

As I say, I'm not sure if it has changed or not, but it was an amazing policy that I came across probably four years ago (and posted here).

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I'm in the uk btw!!

I have 4 epi-pens. One for my purse, my car, my desk at work, and one at home in the medical cabinet.

Hi misaok, and welcome to the board. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Do you leave your epi-pen in the car? If there are extreme temperatures, you shouldn't. Too hot or too cold is not good for them.

Of course, if you carry your purse everywhere, then the one in the car is a *just in case* one, and might be safer leaving there in stead of just going out one day and forgetting to bring one.

Gotta run - bed time for my little one.

I do leave it in the car. It is my backup to my backup. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] My husband has them strategically placed throughout the house and vehicles. The one in my purse is my "main" epi. You have to replace them so often because of the expiration date though.

Great question about epi's. Growing up I had one on my person all the time, one in the school nurses office, and one at home. For a while (from like age 24-27) I didn't carry one at all (I know! I know!). Then, I started carrying again. I have 2 in my desk at work, 2 at home in the first aid box, 2 that are on my person all the time no matter where I am (wallet bag thing).

Adrienne :-)

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30-year old survivor of severe peanut/tree nut allergy

I only carry one because somehow I think it makes me more vigilant. I know that I don't have as much immediate help accessible as I likely ought to, and I know that makes me much more careful. I keep one in my purse and I have one at home too. If I'm going overseas I carry... lots.

Honestly, I think I was the most cautious regarding peanuts when I was fool enough not to carry an epi at all.

Hmmm - This week I've been trying to decide if I'm going to spend the $88 and have my Epipen prescription refilled. The two epipens I have expire in May....and I've got a 12-hour nonstop flight right after Christmas. If I don't eat anything onboard the aircraft, why would I need more than 2? If I have an airborne reaction I can't imagine that it would be so severe that I would need more than two.

I went to a new allergist last week. He said the amount of adrenaline in one epi pen is equivalent to what your own body would secrete in a 'flight or fight' reaction. In other words, if you have a reaction and scare the h*** out of yourself, you may secrete so much adrenaline that you don't need epi.

Any thoughts?

on Epipens...

Like Sidni, I went through a phase of having no Epipen. Part of it was b/c I didn't have health insurance and 10 years ago the price was insane.

Now though, I have 2 with me always. Why the change of heart? Hearing about PA deaths. Really...it's my lifeline in the event that there is an accidental ingestion or if I become much more sensitive to airborne, or something else freaky happens. You never know.

So Adele, my thought is to always have 2 on your person. If you scare the heck out of yourself and get the "fight or flight" reaction, it makes the whole experience worse and you'll be stressed, which puts more stress on your body and in the end you may even have a more severe reaction. The second epipen gives you the extra time to get an ambulance or to a hospital.

My utter minimum is one epipen, but now-a-days I carry 2 on my person at all times with spares all around me at home, office, car. Additionally, I have liquid benadryl caps. If I had a reaction, I'd pop 3 benadryl and shoot myself with the epi. You never know how downhill you can go and how quickly.

Did your allergist also tell you that the reaction could be different (more severe)the next time? That's what I'd be concerned with, and hence the 2 epis.

Adrienne

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30-year old survivor of severe peanut/tree nut allergy

Hi Adrienne,
My allergist didn't say that the next reaction could be more severe, but he did explain that the histamines in my body have been kicked into high gear. I assume the next reaction (if there is one) would come faster and harder.

I carry one duo-pak of epi. I think that'll be enough for this upcoming trip. At $88, I'd prefer not to fill the prescription if I don't need it.

The new allergist gave me two Prednisone pills. He told me if I use Epi and have to go to the ER, to take the Prednisone pills after the EPI to help prevent a second bi-phasic reaction. Does anyone else carry Prednisone for this purpose?

Thanks,
Adele

Around town, I carry one and hope it doesn't malfunction. It's a small city, the paramedics/EMTs/first responders carry epinephrine, and there are two hospitals. Keep in mind that I rarely eat out and the only place I *do* get drinks is Starbucks. They know me and make my drinks as safely as possible. (I'm also primarily soy allergic, peanut hasn't triggered anaphylaxis.)

If I leave town, I have at least two, usually three or four. When visiting strange cities, I always have multiple epis.

ygg

Hi,

I carry two epi-pens (or Anapens as they are called around here) in my handbag and usually that is all I have, no spares at home or anything. However, as I am in Australia for a year at the moment (normally I live in Ireland), I have two spares in my apartment, but that is mainly because the two in my bag will expire in February and I didn't want the hassle of going to doctor here to get more.

So short answer is, I always carry two, in case one misfires or something. I would think two is enough for a plane journey also.

Michelle

I don't think I can count our Epis. With our insurance, we don't have to pay much, and we have some the expire throughout the year, so we just keep a circulation of them.

DS and I are both PA. I'm also ana to chamomile, and mine was initially prescribed for that. I'm awaiting results of immuno cap tests to see if I'm shellfish allergic, too.

I do have EpiPen Jrs for DS' school and other DS only places to keep there, but I carry 2 Adult Epis in my purse, and our allergist (DS and mine) said I can use them on DS, too. He's right at the adult weight/height. Sometimes I actually have 3 epis in my purse, depending on my purse.

We are at church alot, and there are 3 Epis there, too. 2 Epis stay at DS' dance studio. A good friend of mine who has permission to pick up DS from school and goes to our church who has a DS the same age as DS keeps one Epi in her purse.

I know this is in the adult forum, but I also know there are adult PAs with child PAs, too, so I answered for both DS and me.

I have 4 epi's 2 with whoever is with my son & 2 at his daycare.I used to always leave some in the car until I learned that heat can make it expire, I live in Australia so as you can imagine it gets HOT!!!! Does anyone else have this concern?

Yes, Xlered, living in Texas we've never been able to leave Epis in the car. It's usually too hot (can often get too hot even in the winter), but sometimes it gets too cold, and they get ruined. I'm not worried about going past the expire date nearly as much as exposing them to hot and cold.

But then when you live where it's 104 degrees F and you're out, say at an amusement park or the beach, and that's where you have your Epi, I think you just have to live with it. I don't necessarily replace it after that. If you're in a cold climate, say skiing, I guess you can keep it above the "too cold" temp by keeping it close to your body. But when you're out in the heat, there's little you can do. We go minimal--fanny pack only. So I won't/don't carry anything to keep it cool. And I would be afraid of getting it too cool frankly.

There has been a thread since the summer I think that referred to how many continuous hours of temps over 80 degrees F the Epi had to be exposed to to be ruined. And our 7-hour jaunt to Six Flags (amusement park) didn't put us over.